Envied Akata (Story of a fool; Foolish story)

I was born the second. Or, made the second.My "father" and "mother" only loved my sister because she was made first.She was the first one who got a present from my "parents".She was the first one to befriend with the others.She was the first one to get praised for her test.She was the first one to get a Knight, but he looked more like a boyfriend for her.And she was the first one to look down at me.Even though we're both Reyvateils..

We never talked much. She's living with my parents while I'm living with some other relatives... And one night, in my father's birthday party, we met.She's with her friends while I'm alone.I don't say anything. Even after the party ended. There was silence... The only ones left there were me.. and her.Father had told us to wait.

"Hey," she called to me.".. W-What?" I replied, almost not believing it."How come you didn't even say Hi to me when I'm your older sister?""I'm sorry.. I got.. distracted."I lied."Whatever," she shrugged it off.It was awkward. I don't know what to talk about."Hey, I'm thirsty." she said, sighing."There's supposed to be a water fou--"She cut me, "I'm too tired to walk. Bring me some, will you?"I paused for about a second or two, but then I went there to bring her some water.I'm her sister after all.

"Here," I gave her a bottle filled with water.Without saying anything, she gulped the contents of the bottle.She should've said thank you or something else, I think.When I was lost in my mind, suddenly she spurt the water out."Cough! Cough! What kind of water is this?!" she scowled at me."Well.. Fountain water?" I answered."What? You gave me that kind of dirty water?? How dare you!" she shouted.Excuse me, I drank that kind of water every day."Sorry."".. Tch, you useless wench."What the? That hurts.

"Just only I'm your sister doesn't mean you can look down on me!"I shouldn't have shouted.She looked at me angrily then went away... And it's our first meeting after such a long time too..

After about ten minutes waiting, finally father arrives."Ah, father. What took you so lo-"*SLAP*Before I could even finish the sentence he slapped me.And I fell to the ground... Why did he------- sister had told him?"What do you think you're doing?!" he yelled.I froze.﻿".. I hadn't done.. anything wrong.." I replied, slowly."Yeah, like I believe what you've said!"I really hadn't done anything wrong. Right?Have I done something wrong?If yes, then what?

".. Tomorrow you've got to go to the Metafalls Ruin. I've assigned you and a Knight a job there." he said, coldly."W-Which ruins?!"I've heard of the Metafalls Ruins. It got a lot of powerful monsters and there's only a few who got back safely... So he wanted me dead..?He turned, then went away.

***

The night went longer than usual. I can't sleep at all.It's not because I'm sleeping in a tent; it's because..A few more kilometers and I'll arrive at the Ruin.... I wonder why I didn't reject the mission.."Hey, are you still up?" I heard a voice. Must have been the Knight's voice."Yes." I replied.Silence. Then he said, "Don't you feel kind of.. Excited? This is the first time I got assigned a job in the Metafalls Ruin.""Not really.." Of course not. I'm going to die."Let's do our best tomorrow, OK?"".. OK."

***

The next day. I was a bit.. scared. But I entered the Ruin."Hey, why are you so silent?" the Knight asked.".. Well.. Not really.." I said, "Only, I was thinking about.. things.""Oh," he replied. "By the way, what's your name? We haven't introduce ourse--"Before he finished his sentence, suddenly a monster appeared from the left, roaring.It's a.. Beast. And it's huge.".. Guess we have to beat this one first before getting to the Altar, eh.."I have to sing.. But I'm too scared to even move..!The pressure is too much.."Watch out!" he shouted, pushing me aside.The beast's claws shred the Knight's metal armor just like paper.He's bleeding..

He picked his sword, a quick stab to the Beast's heart. Then the Beast died."A-Are you okay??" I panicked singing a hymn to heal his wounds... But I'm not that expert. Though the wounds close, I can't heal internal wounds."I'm fine.. I can still.." he whispered, he looked hurt."It's better for us to get back! This job is impossible, anyway!" I said, only to see his sad smile."In the Church.. I was the most useless Knight. That's why.. Somehow, I wanted to prove that.. I'm good enough.." he said, "So.. At least, this job.. I wanted it done."There was silence. Then I nod, "Okay then.. I will help you all I can.""Thank you." he stood up, "Let's go.., shall we?"".. Okay. Don't force yourself.."

.. But then, we can only run from those monsters. I wonder how we managed to stay alive.At last, we arrived at the Altar."So, this is the crystal.." he said as he took it, "Let's.. go back, I think I'm going to faint..""Yes, let's." I said, worried. He looks very worn out. I myself am tired because of using too much song magic.."If I.. succeed, I wonder what will they say.. Heheheh.." he smiled to me, even if he's hurt."Everyone will surely.. Acknowledge you as a full-fledged Knight.. I believe that." I replied with a smile.It has been a long time since the last time I smiled."Thanks. Hehe.."

After a bit of a rest, we run through the passing monsters to the entrance.We succeeded in diverting the monsters' attention by using my hallucination song magics, and finally, we got outta the ruin."We did it.." I said, "We really did it!""Yes! We did it!" the Knight smiled. "At last, I will--"*STAB*

.. What?Why.... From where..Suddenly, he got a hole on his chest.His back... Another Knight.___ My sister's Knight.

"How.. How could you..!!" I stepped back in horror."Sorry. Thought he was a monster." my sister's Knight exclaimed."Take the crystal, Aaron. We should report back immediately." my sister said as she passed by me."Sister..?!""Don't call me that, you piece of trash." she scowled."I've taken the crystal, let's go back." the Knight grinned as he took the crystal from my Knight's pocket."Hey, save him! You got to--" I'm too tired to sing. I can't sing anymore."Sorry but he's dead."

I froze.Dead?.. He's.. dead?Just like that?And I even haven't asked him for his name....................... I cried...............................

***

Hours later I returned to the Church.Both tired.. and sad.Sad about the death of a Knight I have just met.But then, when I entered the Church, everyone looked at me like I've done something bad.The Priest was in front of me now."I'm sorry.." I said, holding my tears. "I couldn't protect him.""How could you done that kind of thing," he said.".. I've done.. what?""You ran away when he was fighting the monsters.""Pardon?""Your sister said that when she arrives it was already too late."................. What?Another lie!

"I didn't do that, I swear, my sister's Knight were the one to kill him!""Lying is futile. You have no proof."The others were staring at me."I didn't do anything wrong, you have to believe me!"But he didn't reply, turned, then walk away."Listen to me!!" I shouted, but everybody just walked away.".. Listen to..""..."

I sat there, on the cold floor, for I don't know how long until the guards dragged me away.In front of the Church I saw father, and sister, beside him."I am very ashamed of you," he said."Sister, you have to explain everything! I didn't do anything wrong!" I shouted spontaneously.She didn't say anything. Only smiled.An evil smile for me."I don't want you here anymore. Go away." father said as he held his anger.

Why..?Why..?!

"Father, you've got to listen to me..""No. There's nothing left to talk about. Go.""Father!""Go away!""Father--"".. Why did I created you in the first place?"

That sentence hit me. I took a step back before turning away and ran.I ran from that place.From everything.....Am I really that kind of nuisance?

I lost my home.I lost the others' trust.I lost my father.I lost my happiness.I lost my......... "Knight"... There's nothing left for me.I'm not needed.It's.. better if I didn't exist?If I didn't exist, maybe that Knight will stay alive.The reason why he was assigned there.. it was because of me, right?If only I didn't exist.. If only I..

....... Ah, now I know.I don't have a place here.... Then.... Should I disappear?That's better, right?.. I've decided..I will disappear.I will go to your place..A Knight whose name I don't know.Where I belong.With every bit of my power left... I shall sing the hymn...............